1811 dictionary of the vulgar tongue quotes

HOPPER-ARSED. Having large projecting buttocks: from
their resemblance to a small basket, called a hopper or
hoppet, worn by husbandmen for containing seed corn,
when they sow the land.

THIMBLE. A watch. The swell flashes a rum thimble;
the gentleman sports a fine watch.

BUM BAILIFF. A sheriff's officer, who arrests debtors; so
called perhaps from following his prey, and being at their
bums, or, as the vulgar phrase is, hard at their a-ses.
Blackstone says, it is a corruption of bound bailiff, from
their being obliged to give bond for their good behaviour.

GUN. He is in the gun; he is drunk: perhaps from an allusion
to a vessel called a gun, used for ale in the universities.

HOPPING GILES. A jeering appellation given to any person
who limps, or is lame; St. Giles was the patron of
cripples, lepers, &c. Churches dedicated to that saint
commonly stand out of town, many of them having been
chapels to hospitals. See GYLES.

BUM TRAP. A sheriff's officer who arrests debtors.
Ware hawke! the bum traps are fly to our panney; keep a
good look out, the bailiffs know where our house is
situated.

THIEF TAKERS. Fellows who associate with all kinds of
villains, in order to betray them, when they have committed
any of those crimes which entitle the persons taking
them to a handsome reward, called blood money. It is
the business of these thief takers to furnish subjects for a
handsome execution, at the end of every sessions.

THIEF IN A CANDLE. Part of the wick or snuff, which falling
on the tallow, burns and melts it, and causing it to
gutter, thus steals it away.

TO BUM. To arrest a debtor. The gill bummed the
swell for a thimble; the tradesman arrested the
gentleman for a watch.

HOPKINS. Mr. Hopkins; a ludicrous address to a lame or
limping man, being a pun on the word hop.

BUM. the breech, or backside.

THIEF. You are a thief and a murderer, you have killed a
baboon and stole his face; vulgar abuse.

HOP-O-MY-THUMB. A diminutive person, man or woman.
She was such a-hop-o-my thumb, that a pigeon, sitting
on her shoulder, might pick a pea out of her a-se.

THICK. Intimate. They are as thick as two inkle-weavers.

BULLY TRAP. A brave man with a mild or effeminate
appearance, by whom bullies are frequently taken in.

HOP MERCHANT. A dancing master. See CAPER MERCHANT.

BULLY RUFFIANS. Highwaymen who attack passengers
with paths and imprecations.

THATCH-GALLOWS. A rogue, or man of bad character.

TO HOP THE TWIG. To run away. CANT.

PRATTLE BROTH. Tea. See CHATTER BROTH, SCANDAL
BROTH, &c.